Scope of Nats’ leak inquiry ‘not widened’

National leader Simon Bridges says the inquiry into who leaked his expenses has not been widened.

Newshub reported yesterday that a leaked email showed the inquiry had been widened to take in all out-of-Parliament support staff for MPs.

Bridges said this was not the case, and the inquiry had always included out-of-Parliament staff.

‘‘It’s just plain wrong to say that the scope of the leak investigation has been widened,’’ Bridges said.

‘‘It has always been from the get-go members of Parliament, their staff, and also some of their out-of-Parliament staff who have had relevant information.’’

Two other National Party sources confirmed to Stuff the inquiry had not been widened.

Bridges also said he regretted describing National MP Jami-Lee Ross’ health problem as ‘‘embarrassing’’.

He announced on Wednesday that Ross was taking a leave of absence to deal with ‘‘significant health issues’’.

‘‘I regret it, I think it was a poor choice of words,’’ Bridges said. ‘‘I was simply saying that anyone – whether an MP or not – would prefer personal health matters are dealt with in that way, rather than public.’’

He made that description shortly after announcing Ross would be taking leave from Parliament to deal with a health issue earlier this week.

The timing of that decision, just weeks before the leak inquiry is due to report back, and after the leaker had warned Bridges anonymously of a mental health issue, has led to some speculation that Ross is involved.

Bridges commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Simpson Grierson to carry out the leak inquiry after Newshub reported on his large Crown limo bill days before the expenses were officially due to be released.

These expense figures were available to every National MP, but not any other MP other than the Speaker, who has ruled out him or his office being involved.

Bridges is paying for the inquiry out of the National Party leadership budget, a taxpayerfunded pool of money available for party leaders to use essentially how they see fit.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was criticised earlier this week for using her leadership fund to pay an advertising agency to document her trip to the United Nations.

Bridges said yesterday he did not have an estimate of how much the inquiry was going to cost, and said he did not regret calling for the inquiry.

‘‘I think it was the right thing to have done, to make sure we have confidence in the system.’’ Newshub